-
The main lesson from the Tao Te Ching
I am sure that neither Lao-Tzu (sixth century BC) nor Yang- Tzu (fourth century BC) were expecting anyone to learn the principles of Taoism in five seconds, but the sophistication of Taoist philosophy will not prevent me from presenting briefly its key principle: its preference for the natural over artificiality. However, I must hasten to…
-
Key ideas from the Tao Te Ching explained
I can easily tell a real Taoist from someone who is not. The differentiating factor is the feeling of harmony that the Taoist exudes at all times. The feeling that every element in the world is playing a role that complements everything else. Chuang-Tzu presented this Taoist principle from a slightly different angle because he…
-
Taoism for beginners: Lao-Tzu and Chuang-Tzu
If I had to explain Taoism in a minute, I would emphasize the principle of non-action, that is, the paradox that, on many occasions, doing nothing is better than doing something. For a person schooled in Western thinking, the Taoist paradox is hard to accept. It requires careful study and extended reflection. Lao-Tzu (sixth century…
-
Summary of Lao-Tzu’s teachings
There are a lot of questionable aspects in Taoism, but there are also profound insights. Those provide a perspective that we cannot find in Western thinkers, with the exception of Spinoza (1632-1677) and Schopenhauer (1788-1860). What can we learn from Taoism that Western philosophers have not already addressed? Did Socrates (469-399 BC), Plato (427-347 BC)…
-
Seneca’s approach to mental clarity
It is easy to keep a clear mind during a sunny day, when all elements are in our favour: good health, a regular income, old friends that appreciate us, and a loving family around us. It is a different story to keep our wits when things fall apart and keep getting worse. Seneca (4 BC-65…
-
Seneca’s letters on motivation
In our century, motivation seminars have become a sizeable industry. Companies send their employees to those seminars in the hope of increasing sales, productivity and innovation, but it is hard to keep people motivated month after month, especially during periods of economic stagnation. Seneca (4 BC-65 AD) didn’t invent the motivation seminar, but he achieved…
-
Seneca on how to deal with disappointments
Disappointments can have dire consequences. I am referring to the victims of lies, deception or treason, to people who find themselves left behind when their rightful expectations crash. I pity those who prove unable to deal with disappointments and get back on their feet because their lives may be shortened. Seneca (4 BC-65 AD) provided…
-
Seneca on dealing with heartbreak and grief
Romantic literature defends the thesis that it is better to go through ups and downs in life rather than leading a smooth and peaceful existence. I have my doubts about their exaltation of adventure, but when it comes to real life, none of us is afforded the luxury of perfect smoothness and peace. Seneca (4…
-
Seneca’s teachings on justice
Seneca (4 BC-65 AD) had no understanding of the concept of justice, and what is even worse, he did not care. As a result, his version of Stoicism lost touch with the social and economic fibre of the Roman Empire. It would have been easy for Seneca to endorse the doctrines of Aristotle (384-322 BC)…
-
Seneca’s path to serenity
Amongst all paths to serenity, the one delineated by Seneca is the most straightforward. It rests on a single principle that can be applied to all problems and circumstances that we encounter in life. Seneca’s path to serenity has been proven effective through twenty centuries of experience. In contrast to the recipes given by Marcus…
Categories
Recent Posts
- How Taoist non-action furthers happiness
- Happiness and the Taoist non-action principle
- The opposite of the Taoist idea of happiness
- Why Taoists do not pursue happiness directly
Tags
aesthetics Art of living authenticity balanced lifestyle biography Buddhism causality character development education effectiveness epistemology equanimity existentialism flourishing friendship governance happiness harmony humanism human nature justice literary style logic love and relationships moderation nature of existence peacefulness peace of mind personal growth pessimism potentiality quick insights relativism Renaissance resilience rhetoric self-discipline simple lifestyle solitude theory of the will the problem of evil Time management unconscious mind virtue wisdom